Partition and method of tilting into position



G. J. POLLOCK 3,408,781

PARTITION AND METHOD OF TILTING INTO POSITION Nov. 5, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 14, 1966 /N VE N TOR GORDON J POL L OCK FIG. 2

B Y A T TOR NE Y5 G. J. POLLOCK 3,408,781

PARTITION AND METHOD OF TILTING INTO POSITION Nov. 5, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 14, 1966 INVENTOR GORDON J POLLOCK BY ATTORNEYS FIGS Nov. 5, 1968 G. J. POLLOCK 3,408,781

PARTITION AND METHOD OF TILTING INTO POSITION Filed Feb. 14, 1966 s Sheets-Sheet s 4 C 2 6 mi RM w 4 n 5 0% NL N P w A9 w M n m n u m F m G G ll b F h I!!! M T m P I. W J F V F a W W W C A UH M B 5 G v M F H b a 5 6 |I|.l Hr c b A 6 m #1 112.? II I m 00) a 0 F un h w h l m 1- 6 A i 5H) W W 3,408,781 PARTITION AND METHOD OF TILTING INTO POSITION Gordon J. Pollock, Parma Heights, Ohio, assignor to The Mills Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Feb. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 527,005 4 Claims. (Cl. 52-422) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to building structures and more particularly to semi-prefabricated interior partition structures and methods of installing the partitions in a building.

A principal object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved interior partition structure for buildings comprised of relatively inexpensively manufactured discrete partition components, such as panels, which can be installed between the floor and ceiling of a building with a minimum of labor, equipment and materials and which provides an attractive and serviceable partition having a neat appearing joint between the top edges thereof and the ceiling without the use of trim strips or the like.

More specifically, an object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved interior partition structure between the floor and ceiling of a building comprising overhead lateral support means extending along the top of the partition and providing opposite laterally facing abutments depending toward the floor, a plurality of rectangular partition panels and like components of less length than the distance between the abutment means and the floor and each having a top or head construction forming opposite laterally facing abutments which telescopingly engage with the respective depending abutments when the panels are positioned to form the partition and elevated and which brace the tops of the panels against lateral movement, and means positionable between the panels and the floor for maintaining the panels elevated above the floor in engagement with the depending abutments whereby the panels may be installed to form a partition merely by positioning them in vertical alignment with the depending abutments, elevating the panels to a atent neat and finished appearing joint between the tops of the panels and the ceiling.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved partition structure of the character mentioned in which the supporting means for the bases of the panels comprise the base of the partition, and support members shiftable along the guide means to be positioned beneath the panels when the panels are elevated into engagement with the depending lateral support abutments and being restrained against lateral shifting by the guide means.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved method of installing a partition in a building or the like comprising the steps of providing an overhead abutment depending toward the floor of the building and extending along the top of the partition to be installed and forming lateral support for the top of the partition, providing a panel-like component adapted to be supported by the floor in a vertical position and including lateral facing abutments across the top thereof adapted to engage with the overhead abutments by raising the panel component vertically while the abutments thereon are operatively aligned with the overhead abutments, the vertical height of the partition component being less than the space between the overhead abutments and the floor, positioning the partition component beneath the overhead abutments and in engaging alignment therewith, tilting the partition component in the vertical plane about one side support to raise the other side thereof to bring the abutments thereof into operative engagement with the overhead abutments, inserting a support member into supporting position beneath the raised side of the partition component, and then raising the opposite side of the component about the support member to bring the unengaged portion of the abutments thereon into engagement with the overhead abutments, and providing a support member to retain the last mentioned side of the partition component in its raised position.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred form thereof, reference being made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a building showing a partition installed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 22 of FIG. 1 and shown on a larger scale;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 33 of FIG. 2 and on a smaller scale;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side view of the portion of the partition shown in FIG. 2 and showing certain parts broken away;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 55 of FIG. 1 and drawn on a larger scale; and

FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are schematic drawings showa ing steps in the installation of two panels forming a pertions.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved partition structure of thecharacter mentioned in which the head or top constructionof the panels each includes a groove-like aperture ECIOSSxthQ tion of the partition.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a fragment of a building is shown having a removable partition 10 between the floor F and ceiling C thereof, which partition is constructed and installed in accordance with the present invention. It will be understood, however, that the in- :[vention is not limited to the particular constructions shown and described hereinafter but that it can be embodied in many different partition arrangements.

In general, the partition 10 extends from a permanent Wall W of the building, and is comprised of discrete rectangular panels 11, 12, 13, 14 and a doorway structure D between the panels 12, 13. The panel 12 has a Window P therein. The top portions of the panels and doorway structure are supported vertically by lateral support means which depends from the ceiling and is received in slot-like apertures across the tops of the panels and doorway structure so that the opposite sides of the apertures engage with opposite sides of the support means 15 to prevent lateral movement of the tops of the panels and doorway structure, as is described more fully hereinafter. The panels and doorway structure are shorter than the distance between the lateral support 15 and the floor and are elevated from the floor and retained in engage ment with the lateral support means by support means at the bases thereof which provide vertical adjustment of the panels and doorway structure in a vertical plane to bring the top edges thereof into an even alignment uniformly spaced from the ceiling to provide a neat and finished appearing joint between the ceiling and panels and doorway structure so that trim strips, and the attendant costs of installation thereof, are obviated.

Referring more particularly to the construction and installation of the partition 10, the depending lateral support means 15 comprises a channel structure, preferably of sheet metal and having a yoke wall 17, which is suitably attached to the ceiling C as by screws (not shown), and opposed side walls 20, 21, the outer edges of which are angled inwardly as seen in FIG. 5. The channel 15 is secured to the ceiling so as to extend along the top of the partition and the outer surfaces of the sides 20, 21 of the channel provide opposed laterally facing abutments depending from the ceiling.

A floor channel 24 which is U-shapedl in traverse section and includes a bottom or yoke wall 25 and upstanding opposed side walls 26, 27 is secured to the floor by screws (not shown) and extends directly beneath the deending channel 15 except at the opening in the doorway structure. If desired, suitable insulating material, not shown, could be located between the channels 15, 24 and the surfaces to which they are attached.

The panels 11, 12, 13, 14 are generally of like construction and the length of each is slightly less than the distance between the floor and the lower edge of the depending channel 15 so that the panels can be vertically positioned beneath the channel while resting on the floor. Referring more particularly to the construction of panel 11, the faces of the panel comprise rectangular metal sheets 30, 31 which are welded at the top and bottom to a head member 32 and to a base member 33 which extend entirely across the top and bottom of the panel. The vertical side wall of panel 11 adjacent the wall W is flat and is formed by the side edge portions of the sheets 30, 31 which are turned inwardly and welded together along abutting edges as seen at 34. The opposite side wall of the panel 11 is formed by a vertically extending relatively heavy channel shaped post 35 and the edge portions of the sheets 30, 31 which embrace and are welded to the post, as shown.

The head member 32 is formed of two complementary rigid channel-like members 36, 37 which are C-shaped in transverse section and which have their lower edge portions welded together forming a rigid tubular member rectangular in transverse section and having a slot-like opening or aperture 40 extending across the top wall thereof. As seen in FIG. 5, the top wall of the head member 32 forms the top wall of the panel 11, and the top portions of side walls of the panel are welded to the ends of the member 32 and are notched so that the channel 15 can be received in the aperture 40 when the panel is moved vertically with the channel aligned with the aperture. One of the notches is shown at 41 in the side wall formed by the inturned edge portions of the panel face sheets 30, 31. The width of the opening 40 is such that it edges closely receive the side walls 2!, 21 of the channel 15 and form oppositely facing abutment means which cooperate with the sides of the channel to provide lateral supports for the panel.

The base member 33 is formed of two like complementary channel-like members 43, 44 which are C-shaped in transverse section and welded together at confronting edges 45 to form a rigid tubular element substantially rectangular in transverse cross section. A closure strip 46 is welded to the insides of the lowermost inwardly projecting edge portions of the members 43, 44 and extends lengthwise of the element and closes the opening between these edge portions.

A base board clip strip 47 coextensive with the strip 46 is welded along its median portion to the underside of the strip. The outer edge portions of the clip strip 47 have resilient wing-like portions 50, 51, the outer edges of which are curved downwardly and cooperate with the underside of the inturned bottom portions of the panel facing sheets 30 and 31 to form a wedge shape recess for receiving and retaining a securing flange 52 of a baseboard 53.

The interior of the panel 11 intermediate the head and base members 32, 33 contains a suitable insulating material M, such as rock wool, and spacers, not shown, are attached to the insides of the panel face sheets 30, 31 to reinforce the sheets and retain the insulating material in place, which is a conventional practice.

The panel 11 is supported at opposite sides of the bottom thereof by adjustable support means 59 each comprising a stud 60 the lower ends of which rest on a saddle 61 positioned in the floor channel 24, as is described more fully hereinafter. For sake of clarity only one support structure 59 is described in detail. The stud '60, which comprises a threaded rod, is slidably received in a tubular member 62 the upper portion of which is welded to a U-shaped bracket 63 attached in the end portion of the base member 33. The yoke wall 64 of the bracket 61 is welded to the flanges 56, 57 of the vertical post 35 and the opposed sides 65, 66 of the bracket are welded to the under side of the top wall of the base member 33 and the top of the member 46. The bracket 63 is cut away as at 67 to receive the tubular member 62 which is welded to the edges of the cut away portions of the bracket. A nut 68 is threaded on the stud 60 and the bottom end of the tubular member 62 rests on the nut to support the panel proper. By rotating the nut 68 on the stud, it is moved therealong to provide adjustability of the elevation of the side of the panel supported by the stud. It will be understood that a support means 59 is located at the opposite end of the base member 33 and provides a stud 60 supporting opposite ends of the bottom side of the panel and the nut 68 on each stud provides for adjustability of the elevation of opposite sides of the panel.

The top structures of each of the panels 12, 13, 14 as well as the panel 70 of door frame D are like that described with reference to the panel 11 so that each has a slot-like aperture 40 across the top to receive the channel 15. The bottom structures 33 of the panels 12, 13, 14 and the bottom of each door post 71, 72 of the doorway frame rests on a support means 59, each including a stud 60 and an adjusting nut 68 thereon.

The details of the construction of the panel 12 comprising the window P are not shown because they are not important to the understanding of the invention and such constructions are Well known in the art.

The outer vertical side Walls of the door frame posts 71, 72 are comprised of vertical posts like post 35 and to avoid needless repetition, they are not shown. The inner side walls are formed to provide a conventional door jamb arrangement for the door and because these details are unimportant to the understanding of the invention, they are not shown.

The studs 60 of the support means 59 are adapted to rest on saddles 61, each of which comprises a relatively short channel-shaped member having a yoke wall 73 and two opposed side walls 74,.75 extending from opposite side edges of the yoke wall and which are adapted to nest between the sides 25, 26 of the floor channel 24 with the yoke wall 73 uppermost. The yoke wall 73 has a central longitudinally extending groove 76 formed therein which is adapted to receive the lower end of one or more studs 60, the lower ends of which studs are preferably swaged as at 80 so as to provide linear surfaces which nest in the groove and are restrained by the sides of the groove to prevent lateral shifting or rotation of the studs.

In erecting the partition 10, channels 15 and 24 are first attached to the ceiling and floor and a channel 81 is attached to the wall W to receive the vertical side of the panel 11 which forms the permanent wall W.

The installation of the panels 11-14 and the door-way structure D to form the partition proper are effected in a manner illustrated schematically in FIGS. 6-11 with reference to the panels 11, 12. Referring to FIG. 6, panel 11 is initially positioned adjacent the wall W with the projecting ends of the two studs 60 of the support means 59 thereof resting in the bottom of floor channel 24. For clarity, the respective studs are indicated by reference characters 60a, 60b. The studs 60a, 60b of the panel may be located in the channel 24 while the panel is positioned at a convenient acute angle with respect to the floor after which the panel is hoisted to a vertical position with the aperture 40 in the top wall thereof directly beneath the depending channel by pivoting the panel on the studs resting in the channel. As previously mentioned, the length of the panel is somewhat less than the distance between the floor and the channel 15, and the nuts 68 on the studs 60a, 60b are positioned so that the top edge of the panel will be slightly below the ceiling channel 15 when the support studs rest on the bottom of the floor channel 24. A saddle 61a, which is like the saddle 61 described hereinbefore, except that it may be shorter in length, is positioned between the sides of the floor channel 24 adjacent the stud 60a, with the yoke wall 73 uppermost and the panel 11 is then tilted from the wall W which raises the stud 60a above the level of the yoke wall of the saddle whereupon the panel 11 moved toward the wall and is lowered to position the stud 60a in the groove 76 of the saddle 61a, as is illustrated in FIG. 7. A second saddle 61b, which is like saddle 61, is positioned in the floor channel 24 with its wall 73 uppermost and adjacent the support stud 60b and the lower side of the panel resting on the stud 60b is then elevated by tilting it upwardly about the stud 60a to bring the lower end of the stud 60b above the saddle 61b which is then shifted in the channel so that one end portion is beneath the stud 60b whereupon the panel is lowered to rest the stud in the groove 76 of the saddle, as is shown in FIG. 8. During the elevation of the panel 11 onto the saddles 61a, 61b, the channel 15 enters the aperture 40, which entrance is facilitated by camming action of the inwardly sloping lower edges of the channel sides 20, 21.

The panel 11 is now supported on the saddles 61a, 61b which are of a height to maintain the panel at an elevation at which the depending ceiling channel 15 extends well within the aperture across the top of the panel and which cooperates with the edges of the aperture to provide firm lateral support to maintain the panel vertical. The lower ends of the studs 61a, 61b resting in the grooves 76 of the saddles 61a, 61b, which are firmly held by the sides of the channel 24, restrain the lower portion of the panel from lateral shifting. If necessary, the panel 11 is then shifted sidewise in the vertical plane to bring its flat side wall into the vertical channel 81 previously attached to the wall W.

The panel 12 is then positioned with the two supporting studs thereof, which for convenience are respectively designated by reference characters 60c, 600', in the bottom of the floor channel 24 in the manner described with reference to the panel 11. The panel 12 is then pivoted on these support studs and swung to a vertical position with the top aperture 40 thereof directly beneath the ceiling channel 15 as seen in FIG. 8. The panel 12 is then tilted about the stud 60d away from the panel 11 to raise the stud 60c thereof above the saddle 61b whereupon the panel is shifted toward the panel 11 to bring the stud 600 over the end portion of the saddle 61b away from the panel 11 as seen in FIG. 9. The raised side of the panel 12 is then lowered so that the stud 60c rests in the groove 73 of the saddle 61b. The outer side of the panel 12 is then raised to permit a third saddle 610, which is like saddle 61, to be placed in the channel 24 beneath the stud 60d with the saddle nested in the fioor channel as described with reference to saddles 61a, 61b and the panel is then released so that it rests on the saddles 61b, 610 as seen in FIG. 10. The panels 11, 12 are now supported on the saddles 61a, 61b, 610 in an elevated position in which the ceiling channel 15 extends into the apertures 40 at the top of the panels thereby providing lateral support to maintain the panels vertical.

The panel 12, if necessary, is shifted along the channel 24 and positioned relative to the panel 11 so that the panels may be interlocked by a plurality of link clips 82, only one of which appears in the drawings. The link clips 82 are each comprised of a metal strap having downturned end or hook portions 83 which are snugly received in pockets formed on the outermost walls of the vertical posts 35 by U-shaped metal brackets 84 the opposite sides of which are welded to the sides of the channel form comprising the vertical post members. Preferably, the yoke portion 85 of the brackets 84 slope downwardly toward the adjacent surface of the vertical post 35 to form a tapered pocket to tightly embrace the end portions of the clips 82 inserted in the pockets. The brackets 84 are suitably spaced apart vertically along the post members 35 to provide a plurality of linking connections which firmly maintain the panels 11, 12 in a predetermined spaced position.

It will be understood that the doorway frame D is installed between the overhead channel 15 and the floor channel 24 in a manner similar to that described with reference to the panels 11, 12, i.e., the studs 60, not shown, at the bottom of the door frame posts 711, 72 are positioned in the floor channel 24 and the frame is elevated to a vertical position on saddles like saddle 61 to maintain the doorway frame in its elevated position in engagement with the overhead channel. The sides of the door frame are interlinked with the adjacent panels 12, 13 by link clips 82, not shown, in the same manner as described relative to the panels 11, 12. Likewise the remaining panels 13, 14 are assembled in the partition in the manner described -with reference to the panels 11, '12.

The elevation of the panels and doorway frame forming the partition are adjusted, if necessary, by the nuts 68 of each support means 59 so that the top edges of the partition components are uniformly spaced from the cei1- ing and in alignment with one another. This adjustment of the elevation of the sides of the panels and doorway permits the panels to be assembled so that the inset at the top of the partition between the top'walls of the panels along the sides of the apertures 40 and the ceiling is of uniform width although the surface of the ceiling may not be flat. By providing means at opposite sides of the panels to adjust the elevation thereof, an alignment of the top edges of the panels can be effected to provide a pleasing appearance without the necessity for adding a trim strip or the like between the tops of the panels and the ceiling, there-by effecting considerable savings in materials and labor o ver prior known partition constructions.

After the panels and door frame are installed as described, vertical panel strips 86 are applied to opposite sides of the partition to close the spaces between the side edges of adjacent panels. The panel strips 86 have inturned resilient side flanges 87 which nest between the confronting side surfaces of the adjacent panels and which are yieldingly retained in position by vertical ridges 90 formed therealong and lying against corresponding ridges 91 formed in the portions of the panel facing sheets 30, 31 attached to the flanges of the post members 35. Preferably, the panel strips 86 lies in substantially the same plane as the panel surfaces formed by the sheets 30, 31. If desired, utility conduits, not shown, may extend vertically between the sides of the panels, and the clips 80 are preferably cut away in arcuate areas intermediate their ends to accommodate the conduits.

The baseboard panels 53 may be then inserted beneath the bottoms of the panels on opposite sides of the partition with the flanges 52 thereof frictionally engaged between the clip wings 51, 52 of the strip 50 and the bottom walls of the panels. Preferably, the flanges 52 of the baseboard 53 have a ridge 92 extending therealong which engages a complementary ridge 9-3 formed on the wings 51, 52 of the strip to frictionally retain the baseboards in their proper positions. The lower edges of the baseboard panels 53 tenminate adjacent the floor and serve to close the gap between the bottoms of the panels 11-14 and the floor channel 24.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the partitions embodying the invention can be assembled relatively rapidly and with the use of but a minimum labor, tools and materials. Furthermore, the partition panels being engaged with the overhead channel 15 throughout the width of the panels provides a substantial lateral support for the partition which does not require the application fastening means, such as bolts, rivets or welding or the like during the actual erection of the panels to form the partition. By providing vertical adjustment of the panels at the sides thereof, the top edges of the panels can be aligned to form a uniform, finished appearing joint between the ceiling and partition although the ceiling may not be entirely level. Furthermore, the inset between the top edges of the faces of the panels and the sides of the ceiling channel 15 at the top of the panels may be relatively narrow, as in the order of for example, thereby providing a neat joint between the top edges of the panels and the ceiling which obviates the need for the usual trim strip and provides a narrow border treatment not feasible with a trim strip construction. Thus, considerable economy is effected on materials, labor and parts in the fabrication and installation of the partition structure while providing a substantial partition having an attractive furnished appearance.

It will be appreciated that the partition can be easily dismantled by merely removing the panel strips 86, base boards 53 and the link clips 82, after which the saddles 61 are successively removed from beneath the support studs 60 of the respective panels which allows the panels to be lowered from ceiling channel and removed.

It will be seen that the invention provides an exceedingly inexpensive partition construction which is neat in appearance, highly serviceable and yet which can be assembled and disassembled with a minimum of labor and materials. Although but one form of the invention has been shown and described, it is apparent that other forms, modifications and adaptations could be made, all falling within the scope of the claims which follow.

Having described my invention, 1 claim:

1. The method of installing a wall partition between the floor and ceiling of a building comprising the steps of forming laterally facing abutment means depending from above the floor downwardly and extending along the top of the partition to be installed, providing a rectangular panel the length of which is less than the distance between said floor of the building and said dispensing abutment means, said panel having laterally facing abutment means across the top thereof for engagement with the first mentioned abutment means when said abutment means are aligned, positioning said panel on said floor beneath said depending abutment means elevating one side of said panel while the panel is in a substantially vertical position to engage one portion of said abutment means on said panel with a portion of the first mentioned abutment means, then moving a panel supporting member to a position between the floor and the elevated bottom of said one side of said panel to support a portion of said panel in said elevated position, elevating the other sides of said panel to a position in which the entire abutment means on said panel engages with said first mentioned abutment means, and then positioning a support member between said floor and said other side of said panel.

2. The method defined in claim 1 characterized by independently adjusting the elevation of one side or the other of said panel to align the top edge of said panel with a given plane.

3. In a building having a floor and an overhead structure, a partition supported by said floor and extending therefrom to said overhead structure, said partition comprising a channel-shaped elongated member adapted to be connected to the floor with its channel aperture facing upwardly, an elongated member adapted to be connected to the overhead structure and forming spaced abutments facing laterally relative to the plane of the partition, a rectangular panel member the length of which is less than the distance between the top of said channel-shaped elongated member and the bottom of said elongated member when connected to the floor and the overhead structure respectively, means along the top of said panel member forming laterally facing spaced apart abutments adapted to engage the respective first mentioned abutments, saddle members of a height not less than that of said channel-shaped elongated member adapted to be spaced along said channel-shaped elongated member adjacent to opposite bottom corners of said panel member, adjustable means adapted to be interposed between the bottom of said panel member adjacent to the corners thereof and said saddle members to support said panel member in an elevated position relative to the floor with said laterally facing abutments thereon engaging said laterally facing abutments on said elongated member and baseboard members adapted to be detachably secured to opposite sides of said panel member adjacent to the lower edge thereof and depend therefrom towards the floor.

4. In a building having a floor and an overhead structure, a partition supported by said floor and extending therefrom to said Overhead structure, said partition comprising a channel-shaped elongated member adapted to be connected to the floor with its channel aperture facing upwardly, an elongated member adapted to be connected to the overhead structure and forming spaced abutments facing laterally relative to the plane of the Partition, a rectangular panel member the length of which is less than the distance between the top of said channel-shaped elongated member and the bottom of said elongated member when connected to the floor and the overhead structure respectively, means along the top of said panel member forming laterally facing spaced apart abutments adapted to engage the respective first-mentioned abutments, saddle members of a height not less than that of said channel-shaped elongated member adapted to be slidably received within said channel aperture and be spaced along said channel-shaped elongated member adjacent to opposite bottom corners of said panel member, said panel member having apertures in the bottom thereof adjacent to its corners, threaded members adapted to be received in said apertures and project therefrom and engage the tops of said saddle members, nut members on said studs below said panel member to adjustably support said panel member in an elevated position relative to the floor with said laterally facing abutments thereon engaging said laterally facing abutments on said elongated member, and baseboard members adapted to be detachahly secured to opposite sides of said panel member adjacent to the lower edge thereof and depend therefrom towards the fioor.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,039,569 6/1962 Bohnsack 5224l (Other references on following page) 9 UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1965 Bohnsack 52241 X 8/ 1965 Halbostad 52-241 11/1966 Campbell et a1. .52-241 X FOREIGN PATENTS 12/1958 France.

10 1,179,724 12/ 1958 France.

90,208 8/ 1957 Norway.

180,342 8/1962 Sweden. 

